Radium emanator



July'21, 1931. J. w. ONEILL RADIUM EMANATOR Filed Nov. 23, 1925 H m! II III M! .Hi

II I '1 'Il l llll III I III l atented July 21 1931 PATENT GFFICE JOHN W. ONEILL, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS RADIUM EMANATOR Application filed November 23, 1925. Serial No. 70,798.

My invention relates to means for administering radium emanations consisting of a fluid media of water impregnated with the radium gas; the invention having for its object the provision of a device which will permit a greater percentage of radium emanations or radium gas to be administered or obtained with each withdrawal of the impregnated fluid than is the case with devices or methods as at present employed;

that is to say the device enables more uniform quantities of the radium emanations to be obtained by the user during each withdrawal action.

The invention also has for its object the provision of an apparatus wherein the radium element holding portions are non emptiable; the accidental introduction of water or fluid into the radium element hold- 0 ing portions made impossible. On the other hand, escape of the radium emanations from the fluid holding portion of the apparatus while the latter is being recharged with fluid is made impossible; the recharging of the fluid or water holding portion being permissible without in any way interfering with or disturbing the radium element holding portion and the various connections between the respective parts of the apparatus.

The objects and advantages of my invention will all be more readily comprehended from the following detailed description of the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of my improved radium emanator shown assembled and in condition for use; a portion of the withdrawal tube being broken away.

Figure 2 is a detail sectional View of the control cook or valve; the view being taken substantially on the line 22 of Figure 1.

My invention relates to an apparatus or device especially intended for the administration of radium emanations in conjunc tion with a given quantity of pure water or other media; a device wherein the air, before entering the radium element holding receptacle or receptacles, is passed through a suitable washing and purifying solution in advance of the resultant radium emanations passing to and entering the wateror other media holding portion of the device, namely the portion from which withdrawal is made by the user.

In the specific exemplification of the invention, the device is shown as preferably constructed of glass and consisting of the desired number of radium element holding members shown at 5, 5. These members are preferably shown as more or less cylindrical in form and identical in construction. It will be understood, however, that any desired number of radium element holding receptacles may be employed. These receptacles are shown arranged in spaces relation and each provided with an air-admitting tube 6 preferably shown extending through the opposing side walls of the two receptacles in air tight or integral relation there with so as to prevent escape of the emanations or ingress of air other than the air which is intended to be introduced through the tubes 6. The ends of the tubes within the receptacles 5 are each shown provided with an enlarged portion 7, preferably integral with the tubes 6, at a point above the inner end. These enlarged portions 7 are shown preferably terminating in the closed lower ends 8 provided with a suitable number of perforations 9. The ends 8 are in close proximity to the bottoms of the re ceptacles and are therefore located below the normal level of the radium element in the receptacles 5. With my improved const-ruction shown, it is evident that in the event of upsetting or uptilting the apparatus, the portion of the radium element which may pass through the perforations 9 into the enlargement 7, will be comparatively small and therefore less than the capacity of enlargement 7 above the lower end of tube 6. lVith the tube 6 extending a considerable distance beneath the top of the enlarged portion 7, it is therefore apparent that accidental discharge of the radium ment from the receptacles 5 when the latter become inverted is impossible.

The outer ends of the tubes Gare suitably connected at 10 to the outer ends of tubes 11, 11 which latter extend through the top of a third receptacle 12; the tubes 11 extending c an- 'of the passages coininin end providedv downw rd in the receptacle a predetermined extent, preferably to at least a quarter of the length of the receptacle 1.2. The receptacle 12 is intended. to receive an alkali or other suitable solution for purifying and washing the air which is taken into the apparatus. by means f the air tube 13 shown disposed throughthe top of the receptacle 12. The inner end of tube 1.3 is also provided with an enlargement l t preferably integral with the tube 13 at a point above the inner lower end; the enlargement I l, like enlargements 7, 7 in the other receptacles preferably having an attenuated portion or low :1" stem which terminates in the closed bulbular portion 15 provided with a suitable number of perforations or ports 16 in close pror inity to the bottom of the receptacle l i-ith this construction, like with the receptacles 5; it is apparent t the washing solution in rece1 a clo 1:2 cannot be entirely accidentally discharged. therefrom when the apparatus is title the upper end of enlargement t l tr I that portion of the solution which might enter through ports 16 if the appa atus is itled. The air is admitted through the 1'7 "1 the upper end of tube 1 re to down through the ports washing solu be withd o the rad 5. The upper end each receptacle is shown provided with an outlet tube 18 preferably formed int 7 l with the receptacle and extending d wn into the tube to a predetermined extent. The outer ends of the two tubes 18 are suubly connected; 19, 19 with the housing of a three-way cock or valve 21; the passage in the cock being more clearly shown in with one eating with the tube 22. The other enzl of tube 92 is connected outer end of a tube 23 shown 0 through the stopper member 24: inserted in the neclz of the 1' id holdrecepzta cle- The tube extends down into pro iinity with the bottom of the recepte ,le 25 i u a closed bulbsuitable perforations or ports as at The portion of tube witl iian receptacle is arrouncled by a housing or clengat ably formed into; Vii-l therewith and provided with a closed bottom having a. port 28. The port is shown provided with suitable check valve 29 wl is adapted to prevent discharge of fluid from the housing or enclosure '27, while on the other hand permitting inflow of fluidduring the withdrawal periods. The upper inner end of the check-valve housing is shown rovided with small puints or burrs SO'which. will engage the valve and prevent seating in encu e 27 prefen' the upper end of the valve-housing during the withdrawal. or siphoning periods.

The upper end of the housing or enclosure 27 is provided with a withdrawal tube 31, shown formed int 'al therewith; and this tube 81. extends upwardly and thence laterally and out thre-ugh the side of the stopper member it, with which the tube 31 is also preferably formed integral. The housing or enclosure 27 is therefore supporteo; an 'cl'niai-ntained in proper position by the tubes 225 and S1. The outer end of tube is shown provided with a suitable flexible. tube 82 having a suitable inouthpiece which enables the user, by suction, to ith raw a; prescribed quantity of f! id and raoiuln emanation from container by way of the enclosure or housing 27.

The tube 31, in its vertically disposed portion container or receptacle is provided with an enlargement to receive checl zvalve 3st,, which is normally seated the lower endof' the enlargement and vents ilnp-r escape of the einanations lie at the same time permitting withdrawal, because ting of the valve 3t at the upper end of she enlargement is prevented by the small protrusions prder to prevent a vacuum being lei net; in the receptacle 2'5, 1 show the 3 member provided iii 11 a small 36, in the upper neck portion which .YCS the seconl stopper or closure meniber 37, which, like the member 9 1: is also preferably glass. and made hollow and provided with enl' rged rim portion as shown. The stopper or closure in the depending or body portion is provided with an opening 38, adapted to be brought into register with port 36 when stopper is rotated to proper position. .Vith this construction it is apparent that a minute quantity of air may be admitted into container or receptacle if occasion requires. The stopper 37 (which is preferal hollow as stated) has its rirn porti also provided with a small check-valve 3;) n rinally seated against ingress of air. The valve-housing is shown with a; small opening 40 its top and the upper end of the housing at a point removed from the opening -0 is shown provided with the small inwarchy projecting points or burrs ll, which ill prevent the upward seating of valve 39 in the event the pressure within the receptacle is toogreatly reduced. It is" apparent that one air admitting opening in stopper 3 is sufficient; check-valve 39, however, will automatically function in the event that the user should fail to properly rotate stopper 3-? to with the two stoppers or closure nienibers so as to permit easy filling of receptacle 25 by removing stopper 37 without removing or disturbing the connections between stopper 24 and the other parts of the apparatus.

In practice, it has been found that approximately one-fii th of the radium emanations are absorbed by the water or other fluid media in receptacle 25, while the other four-fifths would pass upward though the water or media and gather in the air space above. As the emanations are brought from tubes or members 5, 5 by means of the tube 22, controlled by cock 21, it is apparent that the emanations are all discharged by means of tube 23 in the lower closed end of the enclosure or housing 2-? which is normally maintained full of water or other media as shown; the enclosure 27 filling up with water as shown during the charging period of receptacle 25 when the receptacle likewise is filled with water or other fluid media; because check-valve 29 will permit the inflow of the water and prevent outflow from enclosure 27. The radium emanations or radium gas will only flow into housing 27 when valve 21 has been opened and the user places tube 32 in his mouth and causes a suction action in hor ing 27 sufiicient to induce the gas to flow from either receptacle through tubes 22, 23 and be drawn into housing During each withdrawal or siphoning period, a quantity of water or fluid media impregnated with radium gas equal to the quantity withdrawn by the user from housing 27, will flow from the receptacle through valve port 28 and into the housing 27, with the result that the latter will be kept sub-' stantially filled until the final withdrawal;

It is therefore apparent that the radium emanations will be housed within enclosure 2'? and escape prevented. As a result none of the emanations are lost and the user may obtain the prescribed quantity with each" withdrawal or inhalation.

With the check-valve 34 located 111 the wlthdrawal tube 31, it is apparent that improper use of the apparatus is made illlljOS.

sible; that is to say, blowing through tube 31 if possible, would cause the water or other fluid media to pass through the ra-v dium emanation admitting tube and into the radium element holding receptacles. With the check-valve 8a in the tube, blowing through tube 31 as above stated is made impossible.

The three-way cook or valve 31, for convenience, may be provided with some suitable marking whereby the user may readily determine the position of the valve.

I have shown what I believe is a simple embodiment of my invention, which has been described in terms employed merely as terms of description and not as terms of limitation, as structural modifications may of a sealed radium element holding receptacle having an outlet tube, a fluid holding receptacle provided with an inlet tube connected with the outlet tube of the radium element holding receptacle, said inlet tube extending toward the bottom within the fluid holding receptacle, a closed housing,

sealed about the inner end of said inlet tube,

terminating adjacent to the bottom of said fluid holding receptacle and extending substantially throughoutthe height of said receptacle, a valved inlet in the bottom of said housing closable against outflow from the housing, and a withdrawal tube sealed to and leading from the upper end of said housingto the fluid holding receptacle exterior.

2. In apparatus of the character described, a closed fluid holding receptacle, an inlet tube extending downwardly within the re ceptacle toward the bottom thereof, an enclosure about the inner end of the inlet tube in sealed relation therewith and terminating adjacent to the bottom of the receptacle in a closed bottom, a valved inlet at the lower end of said enclosure adapted to admit fluid from the receptacle while preventing outflow from the enclosure into the receptacle, and a closable outlet tube leading from the upper end of said enclosure and to the fluid holding receptacle exterior.

3. In apparatus of the character described, a closed fluid holding receptacle, an inlet tube extending longitudinally within the receptacle toward the bottom thereof, an enclosure about the inner end of said tube disposed substantially throughout the length of said receptacle in sealed relation with said tube and provided with a closed bottom located adjacent to the bottom of the receptacle, a valved inlet adapted to permit flow from the receptacle into said'enclosure while preventing reverse flow, an outlet tube lead ing fromthe upper end of said enclosure to the receptacle exterior, and self-closing means for admitting air into the upper end of said receptacle.

4. In apparatus of the character described, a fluid holding receptacle provided at top with removable closure means, an inlet tube extending downwardly into the receptacle from the upper end thereof and terminating in proximity to the bottom thereof, an elongated enclosure sealed to said inlet tube and disposed substantially throughout the 7 length of the receptacle and terminating in upper end of the enclosure to the receptacle exterior, a valve in said outlet tube for preventing ingress therethrough, and selfclosing means for achnitting air into the upper end of said receptacle.

5. A radium emanator, comprising a closed radium element holding receptacle provided at top with an outlet tube, an air washing receptacle having an air admitting tube termed to prevent outflow or" the washing medium therethrough, a purified air tube leading from said last mentioned receptacle into the radium element holding receptacle, the end of said last mentioned tube Within the radium element holding receptacle being formed to prevent outflow of the radium element therethrough, a fluid-hold ing receptacle provided with an inlet tube arranged in communication with the outlet tube of said radium element holding receptacle, the last mentioned tube extending lengthwise within the fluid holding receptacle toward the bottom thereof, an enclosure about the inner end of said last mentioned tube in sealed relation therewith and provided with a closed bottom adjacent to the bottom of the fluid holding receptacle bottom, a valved inlet in the bottom of said enclosures for permitting flow oi the fluid into the enclosure while preventing reverse flow, an outlet tube leading from the upper end of said enclosure to the exterior of the fluid holding receptacle, closure means for the upper end of said fluid holding receptacle, and means in said closure means for controlling the pressure within said fluid holding receptacle.

6. In apparatus of the character described, closed radium element holding receptacles each provided at top with an outlet tube, an air washing receptacle having an admitting tube and a purified air outlet tube communicating with the radium element holding receptacles, a fluid holding receptacle having an inlet tube extending toward the bottom thereof, controllable means for selectively establishing communication between the radium element holding receptacles and said fluid holding receptacle, an enclosure about the inner end of the lastmentioned inlet tube, an inlet in said enclosure provided with a valve operable by tie pressure of the fluid in said fluidholding receptacle whereby inflow of the fluid into said enclosure is permitted, said valve being seatable against flow from the enclosure in said receptacle, means whereby air may be admitted into the top of said fluid holding receptacle, and a withdrawal tube connected with the top of said enclosure, said tube being formed to prevent ingress the-rethrough.

JOHN W. ONEILL.

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